New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-03
A ROWING ENaLIsHMAN,.
4 VOLUME OF NOVEL AND ROMANTIC IN
TEREST.


limo PIP ", 34S Harper Brothers.
Mr.. Ollphant Is . remarkable specimen of type
of cultivated adventuror rarely produced in its per-
lection outside Of England. The restless desire
for travel, for change of scene and society, for
usyei experiences for dangers to be faced for diff
cultes to be fought, which has made Englishmen
the greatest Of explorers and the most successful
coonists the world has ever known, Is combined In
this modern aglobe-trotter T" with deep Interest
in large pnblic affairs. determination to know
moro of the concerns Of the univ erse than can be
seen from distance, and often knightly ambi-
tion to share in those popular enterprises which
areal to the imagination even when they do not
commend themselves to the cold Judgment. One
might think after glance at this volume, that for
. quarter of century Mr. Oliphant pervaded the
disturbances of Europe and Asia. He meddied
more or less in the Italian revolution, he was III
the war with China he was nearly cut to pieces In
Jaran, he skirmished about the edges OF the
Crjmcan War, he penetrated to the camps OF Polish
Insurgents. he saw the war of Schleswig olsten
ne was sometimes British diplomat and some
Aimes Garibaldan conspirator He has story to
tell of American experiences also. He helped Lord
Fiein IN the negotiation of the Reciprocity Treaty
of 1852 in Washington, and he managed an import
ant compact with the Indians of Canada. he
visited the South iuring the lastd days of slavery,
making many friends, but foreseelng .the coming
catacysm in which his Northern .acquaintances
unanimously refused to believe Through the in
fuence OF Pierre Soule he joined an expedition des-
tined to reinforce Walker in Nicaragua, but fortu-
nately for himself he arrested at the moath OF
The San Juan River Dy an Englisn ship OF war
The British admiral proved to be his cousin, and ne
was taken ont of mischief In the most agreeable
manner possible Rumor IN England assigned 70
him the fate of most OF his filibustering compan-
IONS At the first party he went to after his RETURN
Hmy partner" he says, q very charming young
person, whom was very glad to see again after my
various adventures, put out two fingers Wy way OF
greeting. raised her eyebrows with an air OF mild
surprise and said, in the most sivery and uu-
moved voice, ooh, how dye dof / thought you
were hungv"
Lord EIgin's special mission to this country with
Mr. Oliphant as secretary, arrived in Washington
lust at the time of the passing OF the Kansas
Nebraska bill, and our author was thus an eye-wit
ness Of one of the most exciting contests In the war
for slavery. He seems not to have been awe
strnek By our leading statesmen OF that DAY
who were certainly not such men as he was used
to al home. He as impressed with the inslgniii-
canoe of President Pierce while in his secretary
of State, MI Marcy, we found a genial and some-
what comical old gentleman whose popularity
with his countrymen seemed chiefly to rest on the
fact that he had charged the United States Govern
ment so cents for repairing his breeches,' when
sent on mission to inquire into certain accounts
in which great irregularities were reported to hav
taken place. He met Mr.. Lincoln at the honse
of the British Minister, Sir Philip Champion, and
remembers being struck by his gaunt figure and
his quaint and original mode Of expression. At
dinner given in Lord Elgin's honor by I" a promi
mont member of Congress- who has since filled the
Office of Secretary of State" SenatorToombs exhib.
tied himself as q violent Democrat large, pompous
and with o tendency to crate" rather than con-
verse in society. The talk was of the Nebrask a
bill, when Toombs, aiting for pause IN the dis
pussion, addressed Lord Egin in stentorian tones
Yes, my Lord, we are about to relume the torch
Of liberty upon the altar of slavery" Upon which
the hostess, with winning smile, and in the most
silyery accents imaginable said, oh, am so glad
to hear you say that again, Senator; for told my
husband Won had made use OF exactly the same ex-
preston to me yesterday, and hs said you would
not have talked such nonsense to anybody but u
woman "The shout of laughter which greeted
this sally" says Mr.. Oliphant +" abashed even the
worthy Senator, which was the more gratifying to
tboae pre- sent as IL was achievement not easily
accomplished"
When Lord .Elgin announced the object of his
mission both the President and the Secretary OF
State assured him that the opposition of the Demo-
cratic Senate made the project Of such treaty as
be desired quite hopeless, but that the Government
would not be averse to it If any way Of overcoming
that opposition could be discovered. For some time
the business seemed to be at a stand, and mean
while the embassy gave itself up to uninterrupted
festivities At last Mr.. Oliphaat began to see
whittier matters were tending, and to make quite
sure he said one day TO his Chief" find all my
most intimate friends Democratic Senators.
Lord Elgin answered dryly, So do l."
Lord Elgin's faculty of brilliant repartee and rscy
anecdote especially delighted them, and one even
ing, after q grand dinner, he was persuaded to
senasoS eS Of Mason and
Elidell notoriety-and Senator Toombs, inquired, TO
the house OF popular and very influential poltl.
cian there to proOng the entertainment into the
ANAL hours. Our host, at whose door we knocked
at midnight, was in bed but much thnnderlng az
r. at len 9Th aroused him. and he himself opened TO
us appearing In nothing but a very short night
aAil right, boys" he said. at once diyining the
and get the drink )" and without stopping to array
himself more completely, he disappeared into the
sef regions the top '
which were two large Jumps of ice. These ne left
with us to deal WITH while he retired to ciothe ths
Gentleman, somewhat of the Lincoln type. and bad
the merit of being quite sober, which some OF the
others of the party were not. and though ynus
self highly delighted with our visit He was, more
over, evidently great character, and many were
the anecdotes told ABOUT him in his own presence
ali bearing testimony to his goodi ess OF heart and
readiness OF wit. At last one OF the party. In NJ
of o. uberant enthusiasm and excessive champagne
burst ont: ..o ,
tell you, Lord Eigine'Tthe accent was frequently
nounced soft % he is a perfect king in his owr
country There amt man in Mussooris oar say
lords was to 90 down there and dar to- he'd tel
tbem-" here followed an expression which pro
prlety con pels me to omit. and which completely
scandalzed our worthy host.
GThats lie" he said, turning on his guest bu
without changing his voice. as he slowly rolled n
quid OF tobacco from one cheek to the other. -,
any man; but never make use of vulgar expires